NCAA president: Smaller schools adjust to Power 5 autonomy

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — NCAA President Mark Emmert believes mid- and lower-level members are gradually adjusting to Power Five conference school's autonomy and increased financial outlay to athletes because of cost-of-attendance stipends.

Emmert spoke to University of South Carolina Board of Trustee members Friday, part of his visit to the school that included meeting with athletes and attending Thursday night's women's basketball game.

In 2014, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved letting members of the five biggest conferences — the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12 and Southeastern Conference — have autonomy on various issues in their respective leagues, including four-year scholarships and increasing the cost of athletic scholarships.

Emmert said schools with modest budgets are not trying to beat Power 5 members in a financial competition of who has the highest budget, but have opportunities in NCAA championships to make a name for themselves by knocking off some of the big-name opponents.